"fabric membrane buildings inflatable structures"

This exciting project at Old Granada Studios, Manchester will the see the existing office building refurbished and fitted out into the new hotel, complete with a vertical extension to form an outdoor swimming pool and roof-top bar area on the eighth and ninth floors. An additional two-story extension to the side of the main building will form a new restaurant and additional rooms.Old Granada Studios is a true Manchester landmark; a building brimming with heritage and history. The re-invention of this famous building will create a place where people come together to work, stay and play. It will be a new cultural destination for the city. It will be a culture of cool places, a world-renowned hotel, studios, workspace, food and drink.The old Granada Studios is anchored by the internationally renowned Soho House Group with their stylish members’ club, restaurant, bar and the new concept Mollie’s Motel. The iconic studios have also been modernised and activated by Manchester Studios with the best production and broadcast facilities in Manchester, they are once again the city’s leading creativity complex for TV, film, music and digital content.Soundis supplied of an area approximately 7,000 sq meters, across 9 different levels which consisted of various flooring build ups.  Systems included, the Soundis Cradle & Batten Acoustic Flooring System to help improve both airborne and impact performance, this system is also compliant with Robust Details FFT2. Overlayed were the Soundis Dry Screed Panels; applied to level the structural deck to minimum of SR2 Standards. Another flooring system we supplied at this project was the Soundis CineSystem Ultra Floor offering many additional acoustic benefits. This system also offers the greatest strength, whilst the large dead load that the floated slab provides, ensures minimal movement under the addition of any live loading.

Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2019, St. George’s Weybridge – a Roman Catholic private day school in Surrey – marked the occasion with the introduction of an exciting new architectural development.Transforming its existing, functionally simple sports hall into an inspiring, beautifully designed facility, the College’s accommodation brief comprised a premiership level hockey pitch and six-court sports hall, as well as a strength and conditioning suite, dance studio and flexible multi-use areas for group activities, meetings, presentations, exhibitions, open days and ‘match teas’.Designed by global architectural practice Scott Brownrigg, the architect’s vision was to create a contemporary and timeless building that would inspire students to achieve their very best.With plans including a stunning tree canopy-like roof structure draping over the internal spaces, the roof needed to achieve 30m clear spans across the main hall and the design needed to be clever and sensitive to the fact that the site’s location sits within the green belt. It also required a flexible and durable waterproofing solution to ensure the building leaves a lasting legacy for future generations of Georgians.Roofing:SARNAFIL G410-ELF lead grey.SARNAVAP 5000.120 M SARNATHERM G insulation board.SIKA SOLARMOUNT-1.

ChallengeKalzip were tasked, alongside contractors Lakesmere, to develop a roofing structure that would be vital to the overall appearance of the building and one that would fulfil the stringent acoustic criteria – whilst working to tight deadlines.SolutionFollowing extensive testing, Knauf Insulation Rocksilk® RS45 product in 50mm and 75mm were specified within the 40,000m2 Kalzip System in the AluPlusPatina finish.Heathrow’s new Terminal 2, also known as The Queen’s Terminal, boasts exceptional architectural design and is 40% more carbon efficient than the previous building. Kalzip’s large waveform roof bestows one of the iconic features of the terminal.A multi-layer approach was taken when it came to installing Knauf Insulation Rocksilk® RS45. By layering the insulation products in different densities across the Kalzip standing seam roof, rigorous sound absorption and sound transmission measures were met, whilst retaining the form and functionality required by the designers.As a robust, resilient and dense Rock Mineral Wool insulation slab, Knauf Insulation Rocksilk® RS45 has excellent acoustic properties that help to reduce the impact of airborne and rain impact noise. It also has an excellent thermal conductivity of 0.035W/mK, helping to provide passengers with a comfortable environment.

Cornwall County Council was responsible for upgrading and renovating an existing stairway to Blue Buoy Beach at Porthleven. A specification and sample were given to the Council, who approached three different fabricators/installers, all of whom came to PcP for an engineered safety solution on treads/landings.Insteel Industries is one of the largest architectural fabricators in the county of Cornwall. Insteel successfully won the contract to supply and install, In looking for the right partner who could offer loading criteria and technical information that complied with the relevant standards.Project criteriaThe Blue Buoy stairway project specification initially requested stainless steel and open-mesh with an alternative for a “Heel-proof version with a 20mm gap and a durbar plate for a slip-resistant surface.The SolutionPcP proposed a galvanised alternative instead of stainless steel but 140 microns and anti-slip nosing for a slip-resistant surface. The proposed solution was cost-effective, safe, durable and matching budget criteria.PcP proposed the 05m nosing as it has a much better slip-resistant on the front edge. In addition, PcP suggested a 33/8 mm pattern would be more suitable for heels than a 20mm gap.Insteel Industry forwarded a drawing/specification sheet to Cornwall Council, who then accepted the 33/8 mm pattern. However, there were concerns that we couldn’t offer 140 microns with our 2/3mm bars.PcP provided a sample that was Shotblast before galvanising with six localised readings of coating thicknesses. Insteel Industries presented the product sample to the council architect for final approval.The resultThe stairways are suitable for access with all types of footwear and pets also to access the beach. The 05m nosing on the treads comply with the slip-resistance recommendations of Bs7976 which are a superior alternative to the durbar plate initially specified. Shotblasting offered an increase in the thickness of galvanizing treatment and enhanced corrosion resistance, providing a more durable product. Perforated rear riser allows water to pass through when storms and high waves hit the staircase.

Lightweight but very strong mounting profileCHALLENGEStraight lines, maximum light and a unique, remarkable design. This is how independent architect Lieze Vandael saw her own home. Due to the numerous voids and imposing windows up to 9 meters high, a traditional construction method was certainly not an option. A suitable alternative had to be found. Moreover, Lieze Vandael wanted to see the elegant, minimalist architectural style with straight lines envelop the building: a roof and façade finish in the same material - preferably timber - and moreover, seamlessly blending into each other. To have the building completely wrapped in wood. Definitely a real challenge! A neat and watertight connection between roof and façade is not an easy job at all. Besides, timber is never completely waterproof. So, the challenge for Lieze Vandael was to combine the roof and the façade into one uniform surface, ensuring a perfectly watertight roof.SOLUTIONArchitect Vandael wanted to step away from the traditional lightframe wood structure, and opted for an alternative mass timber construction: a load-bearing construction formed from tongue and groove stacked solid wood beams. After all, this type of construction creates a lot of possibilities and is, besides, a more durable and ecological solution. For the exterior finish of the building the architect chose thermowood Ayous, a knot-free, clear-grade exotic hardwood providing excellent durability. The façade was finished with thermowood in a traditional way. Finishing the roof, however, was a more complex task. Cladding a roof with timber, particularly a highly sloped roof poses a substantial risk. How to achieve a watertight roof?

TRC Windows have been appointed by Bournville Village Trust for the first phase of a six year planned works program to supply and install bespoke sash and casement windows to 46 properties in the Bournville Village estate.The rented dwellings in Bournville Village consist of bungalows, maisonettes, flats and family accommodation.The estate also features a variety of special needs housing particularly for the elderly and people with learning disabilities.Two areas of the estate have been declared conservation areas and there are a number of buildings of architectural interest and historical importance.Window profile & thermal performanceTo meet conservation requirements, window profiles will match the style, configuration and visual appearance of the existing windows (including glazing bars, horn detail, beading, etc).For each building, they will be be supplied and manufactured in preservative-treated softwood.The thermal performance of all windows and doors will meet the requirements of the Building Regulation Part L1B and have a minimum Window Energy rating of 1.4u-value.Measurement and surveyThe process will involve the removal of existing windows and doors where necessary and installation of the new timber frames and glazing.All equipment, scaffolding and materials employed to fix and seal the windows and doors inside and outside the dwelling will be in accordance with the BS 8213-4 specification for surveying and installation.In instances where the structural box frame is to remain, allowances will be made for minor repairs and redecoration.Narrow cavity glazing (A rated)Narrow cavity insulated glazing units (IGU) will be installed so as not to compromise energy-efficiency and authenticity.These units will meet the requirements of BS EN 1279 and be manufactured by a Kitemark or similar accredited manufacturer.

The Proteus SC cladding panels are arranged in a striking half-hexagon design that appears to float outward from the main structure. The 6 metre high façade, where the panels themselves are embellished by intricately designed, leaf-shaped perforations, has the ability to stop people in their tracks while they gaze at the intriguing, shimmering aesthetic.

Originally built in 1880, Winton Chapel recentlycelebrated it’s 135th anniversary. As part of the Universityof Winchester campus, the chapel plays a key role inUniversity life and hosts a multitude of events includingmusic concerts and war memorial services.Over the decades, the growth of the University campushas encroached on the space around the existingchapel. As part of Design Engine’s masterplan for theUniversity, the chapel has been extended and renovatedto respond to the ever-changing needs of the campus.When approaching the interior aesthetic, Design Enginewanted an ironmongery solution to complement theexisting oak structures whilst providing a modern form.Allgood were ideally place to provide the exclusive Holtrange of oak door furniture. Crafted from hand selectedFSC accredited oak, the range enhances the warm,natural feel of the chapel.At the request of Design Engine Architects, Holt pullhandles were specified on the glass entry doors andsupplied throughout the building, perfectly augmentingthe interior.

The $18.8 billion Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, the longest open-sea fixed link on earth, is now protected by fire panels from from global industry leader, Advanced.A network of 31 Advanced ExGo gas extinguishant control panels were installed as part of the active fire protection protocol for one of South East Asia’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. The Advanced network protects the artificial island gateway in Hong Kong that serves as an entry and exit point for the new 34-mile bridge-tunnel hybrid system, used by over a 15 million people a year.The ExGo panels were selected to protect critical server rooms in 10 different structures on the purpose-built island, including police and fire stations ,as well as customs and administrative buildings. Each extinguishing system was designed, installed, configured and commissioned by Peak Trade International Limited, with every ExGo panel connected to at least one remote status indicator unit.

Firefighters from South Wales Fire & Rescue Service are getting hands-on training in evacuation alert systems following the installation of an EvacGo system at the Cardiff Gate Training & Development Centre.The Centre trains around 1,400 firefighters in a range of advanced facilities, including industrial and domestic training buildings, a multi-purpose climbing and abseiling tower, dedicated area for road traffic collision simulations, a confined space tunnel, rope rescue structure and areas for hazardous materials. Most recently the Centre opened a state-of-the-art Real Fire Training Facility, enabling crews to undertake drills in a range of real-life scenarios – the first of its kind in Wales.Facilities like this are essential for ensuring firefighters receive the best possible training to respond effectively to a wide range of emergency scenarios. The addition of an EvacGo panel means that operational crews will be able to familiarise themselves with the operation of an evacuation alert system, ensuring they are able to use it successfully should they encounter one during the course of their work.

Fresh Wharf is a multi-phase brownfield project which transforms the wharf on the river Roding. The project includes a demolition of the old industrial estate and construction of 911 one and two bedroom apartments in a range of tenures, flexible commercial spaces, generous landscaping, a new riverside walk and new infrastructure, along with parking concealed below podium gardens. Buildings ranging from 3 to 14 storeys are surrounded by cafes, shops, and restaurants, it is 15 minutes from Barking station, with access to the underground, overground and rail connections into central London. Cellecta’s YELOfon HD10+ was specified by Frank Reynolds Architects due to the system being lightweight, easy to install, and delivers unrivalled acoustic performance when used to isolate a floating screed from a structural concrete floor. YELOfon HD10+ is an acclaimed resilient layer system that carries 3 proprietary Robust Details: E-FC-5, 17 & 18.Countryside Properties UK was awarded this 40,000m² contract for this development in Barking.

The Baitul Futuh Mosque (the House of Victories) is the largest Mosque complex in Europe with a capacity to accommodate 13,000 worshippers. Funded by members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, reconstruction was completed after a fire in September 2015. The five-floor redevelopment included new administration and assembly buildings with associated facilities and natural ventilation. It also includes multi-purpose halls, offices, and accommodation facilities for guests which include 12 private bedrooms and further dormitories, the associated works include sewer systems, landscaping, cable laying, infrastructure, enabling works, and access roads.Cellecta’s HiDECK Acoustic Overlay 28 was specified by John McAslan & Partners due to its highly conductive structural floorboard with rapid heat transfer characteristics enabling a more efficient under floor heating system. It also directly accepts all types of floor coverings, ensuring each apartment can be finished to the desired look.Ahmad Construction was awarded this 2,000m² contract to construct this historic redevelopment in South West London.

In order to visually integrate the new three-storey clinic building with a usable floor space of 10,000 m² in its environment characterised by small-sized housing units and green areas, Murphy Phillips Architects in co-operation with the colour designer Frances Tobin developed an own colour concept taking into account the psychological effect of colours.An integral part of this concept is approximately 3,500 ceramic panels and 2,000 ceramic rectangular tubes glazed on all four sides with a cross-section of 60 x 60mm and lengths of up to 1,200mm, which were vertically installed in front of the curved glass facades of the access areas like a filigree curtain.An innovative solution was required to achieve the faceted baguette screen which led to a bespoke support structure being developed with our partners at Systea Pohl Gmbh. The six green and blue shades exactly defined by the planners were specially developed for this project in the glaze laboratory of AGROB BUCHTAL after extensive test series.

Elevating Modern Workspaces.280 High Holborn, a highly specified modern office building developed by Hines in 2011, stands as a beacon of contemporary design and functionality. This commercial space offers a range of amenities and features, including floor-to-ceiling windows, VRF air conditioning, raised floors, and a host of sustainable and user-friendly elements. As part of a broader development vision, 280 High Holborn seamlessly blends modern aesthetics with the historical charm of its surroundings.The ambitious project aimed at creating 100,000 sq ft of commercial office space, six adjacent apartments, and a retail presence in Mid-Town London. The design needed to be flexible, column-free, and capitalize on views over the historic Lincoln’s Inn Fields to the south. The challenge was to seamlessly integrate the building into its urban context while providing a versatile and attractive environment for various uses.The building’s form optimizes its plan to blend with the adjacent townscape, offering an articulated floorplate that supports flexible space planning solutions. The mix of office, residential, and retail spaces necessitated the incorporation of flexible office floorplates that could be easily customized for different needs.In the pursuit of modernity and functionality, our contribution to 280 High Holborn involved the supply of bespoke metal riser doors. Concealed, fire-rated, and designed to be flush with the surroundings, these doors seamlessly integrate into the modern aesthetic of the building. Placed strategically throughout the structure, these doors contribute to the safety of the occupants while maintaining a sleek and unobtrusive appearance.The building’s floorplates offer a ceiling height of 2.7m clear, providing a versatile canvas for both open-plan and cellularized office configurations. Six apartments at the southern end capitalize on views over the Inns of Court, adding a residential component to the development. Additionally, a new civic space at the base of the building enhances engagement with the surrounding community.With a focus on sustainability, 280 High Holborn achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, underlining its commitment to environmental performance and occupant well-being.

Castle Park View is the tallest residential building to have been built in the city of Bristol to date. At 26 storeys high, the residential tower block forms part of the wider Castle Park View scheme, which is also the largest Urban Green Space in the city.The development also features a main block and a 10-storey tower, creating in total 375 new one and two bedroom apartments. Senior’s slimline SF52 aluminium curtain wall system and patented low U-value PURe® aluminium windows and doors have been used across the scheme and were fabricated and installed by Denval, for architects Chapman Taylor and contractors Bouygues UK.Created following the extensive regeneration of a brownfield area and built on the former site of an ambulance station, sustainability is a key part of the design of the Castle Park View and the residential scheme has achieved a level four standard in the Code for Sustainable Homes certification.Both Senior’s thermally-efficient SF52 aluminium curtain wall system and Part L compliant PURe® aluminium windows and doors are highly durable and fully recyclable, making them the ideal choice for a modern development that is also striving to help reduce the energy bills of its residents. The thermal performance of the aluminium fenestration system complements the other sustainable features including the use of the UK’s largest water source heat pump, the nearby Castle Park Energy Centre, as the development’s main heat source.

Our Lady of Pity Catholic Primary School required a shade structure to protect their pupils from the sun in their school playground in Wirral, Merseyside. They had researched different shade products and felt that shade sails would be ideal for their project because they offer high UV protection and would create a vibrant array of colour in the playground.

Providing the headquarters for Forth Valley College, a range of 21st century learning environments as well as benefits for the wider community through the availability of contemporary event exhibition space and conference facilities this campus is considered a world class facility. The inspirational design features highly advanced technology and the application of state-of-the-art materials, structure and finishes.

In this project Stoneworld have supplied and installed a totally bespoke sandstone staircase, created by cladding a poured concrete structure. Stoneworld create a digital template for each piece by using the latest portable scanning equipment onsite. This data is then used to waterjet individual pieces for the step treads and step risers. Read on to see the details of this project

The reservoir had an estimated 180 metres of cracks that needed repair, as well as the main element of the concrete that required coating to waterproof and add durability to the concrete structure. The Reservoir was taken out of commission but it needed to be returned to service as soon as possible. To do this, we looked at the order of the processes to ensure the tight time frames could be met.  

AliDeck has successfully supplied a diverse range of cutting-edge aluminium balcony solutions to the Manor Road Quarter project in Canning Town, London. The AliDeck Ultra Decking Board, AliRail Plate Fix 0.74kN Option (AliRail System 2), and the aesthetic AliClad Flow Cladding Board will now create a complete balcony solution, as this collaboration with Alloy Fabweld showcases our commitment to innovation and technical excellence.

Meeting a quartet of criteria, Kawneer’s AA®110 SSG (Structurally Silicone Glazed) and AA®100 capped aluminium curtain walling almost completely wraps the new £25 million Citylabs 2.0 development within the Oxford Road Corridor innovation district in Manchester, at the gateway to Europe’s largest clinical-academic campus.

Sevenoaks School’s Science & Technology Centre, designed by Tim Ronalds Architects, brings together a diverse set of disciplines and “puts learning, education and experimentation on display”. Daylit and naturally ventilated throughout, the £23m development has a robust interior of expressive structure, evident construction and natural materials, yet feels highly transparent, with views to the landscape and beyond.

 The concept proposed by Urban Planters and Westfield incorporated large timber planters, seating and walkways to bring green country life to a large urban city area. We have now successfully installed several large planting structures around the Westfield Shopping Centre and continue to work closely with Urban Planters in order to achieve the ongoing brief.

SIEGENIA makes the design of the passage to the outside more convenient than ever with the new hardware solution for thresholds. The high-performance TITAN hardware portfolio has been expanded with a solution for barrier-free thresholds with drop-down seal for this purpose. This enables fabricators, architects and end users to achieve the widest range of room comfort requirements with regard to barrier-free systems. With security up to RC2, good sound absorption and high compression, they can be flexibly combined with both single-sash and double-sash elements.Barrier-free with additional benefitsSuitable for barrier-free French door systems made of different profile materials, the new solution for barrier-free thresholds with drop-down seal is convincing from the end user perspective due to the convenient, smooth operation and the high corrosion resistance and long service life, for which TITAN fittings are renowned.

Following successful works for the London Underground, Koster were asked to design waterproofing systems for use inside live tunnels for the Glasgow Underground. Following close analysis of the structure, surrounding ground and constant use, a bespoke design was settled upon which involved an area injection system as the main form of waterproofing protection.Koster Injection Gel G4, an acrylic injection material was selected, mainly due to the fact that it has an extremely low viscosity and will not contaminate ground water or soils.When injected in a grid pattern across the substrate (through pre -installed injection ports), it will travel through the pores of the brickwork and "Gel" forming a permanently elastic mass capable of holding back the pressure of water behind the structure.The Koster Technical team become heavily involved in these types of projects, working carefully with the design team and contractors ensuring a successful project completion.For more information or for advice on a similar project, please contact the Koster Technical team on technical@kosteruk.com.

We completed this large redevelopment of this school’s playground in Ealing, West London, over the summer holidays. The teachers were looking for two separate zones for older and younger children, with the junior zone to feature challenging, stimulating equipment .The Lappset Motoric Track acted as a perfect centrepiece for the area, being able to entertain large numbers of users for busy break and lunch times. The 6 tower structure features interlinked climbing nets, rope bridges, fireman’s pole, a large slide, climbing panels, and much more, giving hours of endless fun. A space net climbing frame is positioned adjacent to the track, providing additional climbing and challenge for older aged children.The younger age zone is comprised of an exciting multiplay structure, natural themed trim trail, and two crawl tunnels under earth mounds.The equipment was constructed from glue laminate timber and green panelling, to blend in with the treelined surroundings of the play area. For the surfacing elements of the works, artificial grass was selected, to compliment the natural aesthetic. 

In the west district of the Dutch town of Wallwijk an innovative multifunctional structure was recently built, combining residential and commercial spaces in a single project of contemporary design.Atlas Concorde outdoor porcelain stoneware tiles were selected for the architectural design, providing the look of natural stone and excellent technical properties.The Dutch complex includes private homes, apartments and a health and wellness center.The outdoor spaces and walkways in the green areas of the modern Dutch structure feature Trust 2 cm thick stone-effect porcelain stoneware tiles. LASTRA 20mm is the Atlas Concorde outdoor project that includes a wide selection of surfaces perfect for both commercial and residential contemporary outdoor spaces.For the Koetshuis project, the LASTRA 20mm version of the Trust collection in Titanium shades combines the extraordinary aesthetic power of the look and detail of faithfully reproduced split stone and exceptional technical performance. Thanks to Atlas Concorde, the outdoor walkways in the heart of the garden and the outside area surrounding the hotel are safe surfaces, both slip-resistant and resistant to weathering. 

Client: Durham County Council Main Contractor/Manufacturer: Retro Bridge Specialist Contractor: St Astier Consulting Contractors Main Products Used: Emseal BEJS SystemThe Witton Park Road Bridge near Bishop Auckland crosses the River Wear at the same place as the historic Witton Park Railway Viaduct, but at different angles. The main central bridging structure was being replaced as the old structure had deteriorated and become structurally unsound. The new prefabricated replacement section of the bridge is a Retro Beam Bridge design, made from thermally galvanised steel for long term durability and is 64 metres long, with a single-lane road carriageway plus a cycle path. The new bridge section was installed in just 3 days through the Victorian brick arches of the Viaduct by Retro Bridge. Then the teams from Durham County Council and St. Astier Consulting Contractors were able to work on the bridge deck expansion joints at each end, to ensure that these had an equally durable, watertight seal. To do this quickly and efficiently, as well as ensuring the long-term durability of the exposed joints, they selected the Emseal BEJS System provided and supported by NCC (Movement Joint Systems). The Emseal BEJS System can handle harsh environmental conditions and has greater movement capability, better low temperature flexibility and higher temperature stability than other joint movement technologies. In a single installation, BEJS provided a watertight durable seal, with a joint movement capability over 100%, including 3-dimensional movement, plus it required no invasive mechanical anchoring as it is bonded in position.

With the introduction of new sports areas and a sixth form college, The Belper School faced a significant shortage of parking spaces. The growing demand for additional parking became evident as staff, visitors, and students resorted to parking on grassed areas. Consequently, numerous muddy patches emerged around the school grounds, negatively impacting the area's aesthetics and making it increasingly inaccessible. Moreover, this led to an increase in the amount of mud brought inside the school, placing a greater burden on the caretaking and cleaning staff.To address the drainage issues and offer an environmentally friendly alternative to concrete or tarmac, the school opted for X-Grid® as a permeable alternative for traditional car park surfacing. The school identified several areas around the premises as suitable locations for the car parks and proceeded to excavate them. A compacted hardcore base made of MoT-type stone was used to establish a strong and stable sub-base for the X-Grid®. By placing a geotextile membrane over the hardcore, the school minimised the risk of weed growth and created a separation layer between the build-up layers. The X-Grid® was then installed on a well-screeded sand blinding layer and filled with durable decorative gravel.By replacing the existing grassed areas with X-Grid® filled with gravel, Belper School successfully resolved their overcrowded car parks without the need for additional drainage infrastructure. The highly permeable nature of X-Grid® facilitated the controlled dispersion of surface water back into the water table. Consequently, the amount of mud around the school grounds was significantly reduced, virtually eliminating it altogether. This enabled the availability of parking spaces throughout the year, providing staff, visitors, and students with ample parking options while preserving the aesthetic appeal of their surroundings. Moreover, the use of X-Grid® ensured that the gravel remained in place, eliminating migration and greatly reducing surface maintenance requirements, thus keeping the areas looking as attractive as possible.

A community space in the heart of central London has been completely transformed and by 6a architects. The new building, incorporating an old basement gymnasium, is home to Holborn Community Association, has a 100-year history which has been sensitively referenced in artwork created by artist Caragh Thuring on the façade of the building. What was solely an old basement gymnasium has been rebuilt as a light-filled, naturally ventilated, low energy space, extending upwards with two new public-facing floors. 6a architects specified Junckers solid Oak Harmony Driftwood Grey two-strip flooring, a pale shade of grey. Suitable for multi-purpose use, the sprung floor fitted in the gym as well as in the club rooms, will enable the community centre to maximise earnings through hires, being able to offer a safe space for everything from various sports to arts and social events. Said Stephanie Macdonald of 6a architects: “The floor looks fantastic and really unusual, a beautiful warmth of timber and colour for the gym and the clubrooms which is going to allow them to be used equally well for hires and events - a really beautiful set of spaces for community use”. Throughout the building, an emphasis on pale, light-reflecting colours and materials minimises reliance on artificial lighting. The light-coloured Junckers Driftwood Grey Oak provides the centre with a durable floor which helps maximise natural light levels. It can be sanded and refinished up to ten times without loss of performance and will serve the centre well for 60 years plus. Junckers floors carry the Danish Indoor Climate Label, which is recognised by BREEAM. Having undergone extensive degassing and odour testing to ensure there are no harmful chemicals, a Junckers floor will help maintain a healthy indoor climate. Stirling Prize nominated 6a architects worked closely with Thuring whose artwork features throughout the architecture. For the etched glass façade which runs the width and height of the building Thuring drew on stories from the community and local area which are inscribed onto the glass alongside irregular mortar lines of the original brickwork. For the gymnasium, Thuring created a bespoke woven fabric, echoing the brickwork motif of the façade, which lines the acoustics panels on the upper walls. The flooring contractor was Junckers Approved Contractor Hutchison Flooring. 

BackgroundOccupying a prominent position on the Kingsway, The Curve development is a portfolio of 27 apartments. The key requirement for Cube Homes was to offer residents high quality, low carbon, affordable and sustainable apartments.After extensive planning, K Systems specified a direct fix system with mineral wool insulation and a silicone render finish. Our Direct Fix system for steel frame structures is KIWA BDA certified and provided the ideal solution for these newly constructed mid-rise apartments.Our team designed a façade solution that delivered modern, thermally efficient and aesthetically pleasing homes, meeting the client’s requirements.Our ServiceDue to the number of fixings and the curvature of the property, this was a technical project which required bespoke detailing.In collaboration with Bowker Sadler Architects and our approved installer Profac, we designed a comprehensive specification and were on-site when required, offering Profac technical and installation support throughout the build.The Direct Fix system specified is a cost-efficient solution for steel frame structures, with fewer components for a simpler and faster install. Direct Fix generates exceptional insulation and with a silicone render finish provides high levels of fire rating (A2,s1-d0), allowing Cube Homes to deliver safe and thermally efficient homes.Technical Project DetailsThe EWI needed to be line and level with the ground floor brickwork. To achieve this specific requirement, 300mm mineral wool (which is deeper than available mineral wool) was specified for the project. This meant 110mm and 190mm boards were combined to achieve the required 300mm.This thicker mineral wool meant that the curved elevation on the building was difficult to achieve. The insulation was facetted around the curve and carefully installed by Profac to create a seamless façade. The 300mm mineral wool resulted in a low U-value of circa 0.10 W/m²K, meaning heating costs for the apartments will be minimal and carbon usage will be reduced to a minimum standard.For the finish, silicone render (TC 15) was specified to create a striking curved elevation. Silicone TC incorporates the benefits of silicone technology to provide a water repellent finish with a fresh and modern appearance. The silicone allows water vapour to pass freely through the render whilst allowing the finish to remain weather resistant, making it the ideal solution for a low maintenance, long-term finish.

In the midst of 2020, the construction of 80 Charlotte Street was completed, transforming Fitzrovia in London with fresh offices, apartments, and retail areas. The impressive 377,00 sq ft structure, crafted by Make Architects, holds a value exceeding £200 million. With nine storeys, it stands as London's largest all-electric building.In 2021, Make Architects described 80 Charlotte Street as Derwent London's most extensive project. The mixed-use development aimed to blend existing structures with modern elements, creating 321,000ft2 office space and 45,000ft2 residential units, including social housing.Situated in Fitzrovia, at 80 Charlotte Street, the project seamlessly integrates into the urban landscape, emphasising the city and street context in its design. The project features a new public garden and retail spaces.The development encompasses various components, including the commercial office space at 80 Charlotte Street, the private rental flats at Charlotte Apartments, and new apartments above two floors of office space at Asta House.ChallengeTo prevent unauthorised access to the lift lobby, a secure solution that allows easy access for guests while incorporating a token return process was needed. Additionally, the solution would need to be controllable remotely from a front desk and aesthetically pleasing within the reception area.SolutionFrom air-source heat pumps that prevent traditional gas boilers from being required to their outstanding statistics, such as being 34% better operational efficiency than Building Regulations, it’s clear that sustainability is a top priority.Within the speed gates chosen are LED Edge Lights, complementing the theme of being considerate of the environment since this choice ensures far less energy has to be produced.The bank of speed gates that the client opted for perfectly merges in with 80 Charlotte Street’s overall look due to the black stainless-steel finish that discreetly fits in with the interiors. With black panelling surrounding the area, the speed gates seamlessly go together with their existing aesthetic.On top of this, the client decided to put in place both low-iron glass top lids and wings, making for a completely clear view that also provides added security from those attempting to jump over the barriers.OutcomeFrom the utmost sustainability to a beautiful minimalist design, 80 Charlotte Street is set to continue to draw people into a new work environment. What's more, with 300 cycle racks, it encourages a sustainable return to the office.

House of Tomorrow Today... CHALLENGE + SOLUTION Before your imagination runs away with you: HoTT stands for House of Tomorrow Today. This new Dutch concept is based on both the Smart Building and Active House principles. It tries to gather recent innovations as well as new technological developments in one project, entirely in line with future market trends. From the very beginning HoTT gathers together all parties involved in order to have a smooth running building process and thus limiting the number of contacts and intermediaries. Compared with traditional building methods this optimal cooperation already results in at least a 30 % cost reduction. Also it is worth mentioning the construction itself - HoTT strives for prefabrication and modular building components, resulting in a decrease of project schedules, project budget and construction site waste. Although prefabrication had over time developed the stigma of cheapness and poor quality, it has nowadays been turned around into a green trend in construction. The first HoTT healthy home in the Netherlands has just been completed. Comfort, energy and technology are the main issues. It is a house with comfortable living conditions, a lot of natural light and fresh air, and, above all it is energy neutral, modular and durable, reducing its ecological footprint. Electrical wiring, plumbing and wall components can all be easily adapted for the future needs of the building. Both sloping roofs are prefabricated steel frame structures with insulation, vapour barrier and roof covering already included, allowing a fast and easy installation. The less sloping, south facing roof has a RENOLIT ALKORPLAN PVC roof covering, provided with aesthetic RENOLIT ALKORDESIGN roof profiles. Also part of the roof has solar panels which have been installed using RENOLIT ALKORSOLAR profiles. The building is being constantly evaluated by means of sensors gathering data to continuously improve and develop future HoTT buildings. The concept will not only be applicable for detached housing, further developments will also aim at terraced houses, schools, hospitals, etc. This project proves once again RENOLIT is a reliable “green” partner, a company that is responding to the growing demand for ecological products by offering sustainable building materials. It’s the first HoTT of hopefully many more...

A high quality Duchy of Cornwall project called Kew An Lergh (Cornish for Way Close) delivering a range of community benefits including a nursery school, offices, shops and restaurant in three Arts and Crafts style buildings grouped around a landscaped courtyard.Challenge:AVS were appointed to work closely with the Duchy team, architect and engineer to provide product solutions in line with the architect’s design intent for the project, retaining the overall character and design of the intended buildings.Solution:AVS provided a full drawing package including unit design calculations and reinforcement details for all units including provisions for any potential site handling issues prior to delivery of the stone reinforcements. A varied range of products were required from 8kg to 630kg including self supporting and structural elements.Result:Products designed and supplied by AVS included window and door surrounds, name plaques, a bell tower along with a feature arched main entrance surround with a replica Sea Campion, the emblem for that quarter of Nansledan, contributing to the design attributes of the Kew An Lergh complex.Client: Duchy of CornwallArchitect: ADAM Architecture & ALA ArchitectureProject: Kew An Lergh, Nansleden, NewquayMaterials: Wet Cast StoneColour: Bathstone with Medium Etch FinishApprox. tonnes of stone supplied: 34Start: Sept 2021 | May: 2023

Project:Unity Campus Client:Howard Group Architect:Nicholas Hare Architects Value: £12m Location: Sawston, Cambridge Completion Date: June 2023 Innovare duration onsite 15 Weeks GIFA: 88,000 sq. ft Air Tightness: 1 via passive purple U-Value 0.13 (259mm i-FAST with additional insulation by others on inside face of panel) System: i-FAST/Wrap SolutionPhase 2 of a new £100 million technology and R&D campus in Sawston, south Cambridge is now complete, providing an additional 90,000 sq. ft of science laboratory space across three buildings. Built on Cambridge’s reputation within life sciences, this phase enhances Unity Campus and elevates the region’s role within the industry. Designed by Nicolas Hare architects, the building envelope is purposely designed to provide occupants with a healthy and attractive environment. Collaborative design development incorporating a concrete frame and advanced structural timber technology meant an innovative approach to the construction method could be adopted, bringing key advantages of sustainability and performance efficiency. The Innovare Offsite i-FAST Panels were selected for construction because they minimize embodied carbon compared to steel framing systems, achieving the sustainability objectives set by the client Howard Group. Effective collaboration with the architects ensured that the client’s performance specifications were agreed well in advance of the start date.

Baptist Health and MD Anderson have partnered to create a new $184 million cancer centre in Jacksonville, Florida, focused on treating all forms of adult cancer. The building is situated overlooking St John’s River in a beautiful and serene environment. The new nine-storey 332,000-square-foot center is designed to provide state-of-the-art care and will also host clinical trials for new drugs. The facility has a contemporary design enclosing a central courtyard. With open views to all aspects, abundant natural light streams into the interior, creating a warm uplifting atmosphere. The frontage of the L-shaped structure, facing south, is flooded with light, requiring extensive passive solar shading. The teams involved in the project design and construction, which included HKS Architects (Dallas), adopted an holistic approach ensuring that all aspects of the design, both exterior and interior, reflected the goal of creating a positive, calm and caring environment focused on the individuals who inhabit it, namely the patients, their families, and the staff. Levolux elliptical aluminium fins form the horizontal bands of solar shading running across the front of the building. In keeping with using materials to create a calming feeling of warmth and comfort, Powdertech Wood Finish™ was specified for the solar shading. Back in the UK Powdertech coated 2000 linear metres of 150mm by 50mm extruded aluminium in PWF 31, Black Walnut, a “warm” finish, which were despatched to Florida as a single delivery.